Type-writing machine.



'W R. Fox.. TYPE WRITING IAUHINE.

' APPLIOATIOI FILED IAB.19,1006. 'l 1,001,749. d `Patented Aug. 29,1911.4

W'itgegses:

WV R. FX.

TYPE WRITING HAGHINE. nrmonml Hmm lui 19 1m.

Patented Allg. 29, 1911.

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Inl-.llll-II III l. Illy 'Wirtvpesses W. R. FOX.

TYPE WRITING'MAGHINE. K APPLICATION FILED IAB. 19,1906,

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. R. FOX.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED 11111.19, 1906.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

7 sHBBTssHBET s.

K w. R. Fox. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED HAR. 19,1906.

i YPatented Aug. 29, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911 'I SHEETS-SHEET 7.

W i tlgcsscs:

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. FOX. OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

cation.

type-bar support in a type writer, with im- This invention relates toimprovements in typewrit-ing machines, and particularly to improvementsin typewriting machines of the type-bar variety.

The objects of the invent-ion are: First: To provide an improvedconstruction and arrangement of front-strike typewriting machines;second to provide an improved construction and arrangement of segmentsor supports whereby a double row of type-bars is supported; third: toprovide an improved construction and arrangen'ient of type-bar segmentsand type-bar hangers, whereby a maximum number is supported in each row;fourth: to provide an improved shifting proved means of counterbalancingthe same; ift-h: to provide an improved,construction and arrangement ofadjustable key-lever devices and connections; sixth: to provide animproved coupling mechanism between the key-levers and type-bars;seventh: to provide an improved connection between the ty )e-bars `andtheir actuating levers; herein lmown as the top coupler; eighth: toirovide an im roved connection between the 'ey-levers. and the type-baractuating levers; ninth: to provide an improved adjust.- ment for theuniversal escapement bar; and tenth: to provide an improved constructionof type-basket. Eleventh: to provide an improved construction and'arrangement of type-bars whereby double rows of the saine are utilized.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear from the detailed. description to follown I accomplishthe objects of my invention by the devices and means described in thefollowing specification.

The invention is clearly described and pointed out in the claims.

.A structure embodying the features of my. invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a typewriter embodying theprinciples of my Specification of Letter: Patent.

Application tiled Karoh 1B, 1906.

fatented Aug. 29, 1911. aerial No. 306,543.

invention, certain portions to which my invention does not relatebeing-omitted, and other portions being broken away to show th'edetailsof construction; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation viewV taken on a linecorresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in. the direction of thelittle arrows at the ends of the section lines; Fig. 3 is an enlargeddctail view showing four of the type-bars in' position, two on the innerand the other on the outer circle m m, the same being a sectional viewon a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4- is a developmentof the type-bars and types when removed from the basket and disconnectedfrom their hangers; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of thecounterlnllance means for typebar support segment, the same being takenon a line corresponding to line 5--5 of Fig. 2; Fig.` G is an enlargeddetail View of a portion 'of t e type-har segment or shifting support,showing the arrangement of type-bar hangers thereon; Fig. 7 is a det-ailsectional view of the same, taken on a line corresponding to irregularline 7M? of'Fig. 6. 7^ is a detail view of one of the clips; Fig. 7- isa detail sectional view on line 'il-7.1- o Fig. 7 showing detail of theconnection between segment .and type-bar hangers; Fig. 8 is an enlargeddetail view of the adjustable stop means for the universalescapement-bar; Fig. S) is an inverted plan of the structure a pearingin Fig. 8 partially in section, on ine 9--9 of Figl 8; Fig. 10 is a 8;Fig. l1 is an enlarged dela-il view 'of' the coupling between thekey-levers and the type-bar actuating lever partially in section on line11`11 Fig. '12.- Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 152-12 ofFig. l1; Fig. 13 is a. rear elevation view of the comb c, across-section ot which appears in Fig. 3; Fig. 14 is an enlarged detailview of one of the top couplers; Fig. lois a detail'tra-nsverseYsectional vien' through the said coupler, taken on a line 15-1'5 ofFig. 'l-l; Fig. ,lf3 is a detail longitudilial sectional View on linelf3- 16 of Fig. 3, through the hubs and levers H H', the supporting-rodbeing shown in full lines; Fig. 17 is a detail front -eleyation view ofthe machine. 'liartizilly in machine. the cushions P being omitted.

Fig. '19 is a detail sectional elevation taken on 'a line correspondingto line 19-19 of Fig. 20, looking toward tl'ie'rear of the'ina- ..chine,'showing the details of the upper coinbsfand'theii" relation to theactuating levers; and Fig. 20 is a detail sectional elevation on line20-20 of 19, showing the details of the centersupport F and its relationto the upper rea1f combg, {ppm-t 0f which it Supports.

In the drawing, the sectional 'views are taken looking in the directionof the little' vitself shifting up and' down to enable the use of thedouble type on each typebar.

the'typefbar support isshifted it has a par- .The type-bar supportv Bshifts vertically and is supported 0n two pairs of links B" which'clearly'appear in Fig. 1, the said links being pivoted in the rear partof the frame of the machine and extending forwardly nd being connectedso that when allel movement. n

'The type-bar support is regulated in its 'longitudinal relations .bythe adjustable screws a supported in a'suitable bracket' A at each sideo f the mainframe, thev detail' of the construction clearly appearing inFig, 6; and the up and down shift is regulated vby the set-screws a,@turned into this bracket and adjustable to contact with suitable stopson the type-bar support B which limits its rod is a coiled spring. C,the inner end of g5 which is secured to the rod C. A Wormf counterbal l.bfef-t lnot-ioln.` "1 All of these screws are adjusted and retained-securely in place by suitable lock-nuts f lliis. type-bar support withits load, consisting of the type-basket and typebars and theirconnections, is .c0uiiter-bal anced. One of the lower arnis B' hasaprojecting arin B extending rearwardly therefrom which is connected bya linkA b to the 4 lever 4E which lever is provided with la shiftkey atits frontend. A'rod C extends transversely through the machine, onwhichgear-C. isprovided at the outer end, clearly appearing toward-the left.end of the rod in Fig.' 2. Tension is put this Spring LC"4 'by means ofav worrnfbf; engaging withthe.

ported transverselyto the vworin gear C in a suitable support carried bythe arms B" l", where, by turning this worinl Ib', witlia;--frewd.river, it w'inds'up the coil spring C lo any eXteht'd'egirelsothalrit will nicely 1:str shnifting type-bar support and the part whichit carries, whereby a very light touch on the shift-key acting throughthe `lever E will shift the type-bar' support upwardly. The details ofthis arrangement for applying tension to the counterbalance springappear clearly in Fig. 5`,

the general relation ofthe parts appearing in Fig. 2; and the generalrelation of the.

parts detailed in Fig. 5 Vappears also in Fig. 1.

The type-bar support consists .of double concentric segments insubstantially Athe same plane which are secured together by therearwardly curved arins 1)a Side View of. which clearly appears iii-Fig.3, and the rear View clearly appearing in Fig. Q. There are several ofthese connecting arms between the outer and inner segments.

A suitable type-basket L is supported by the arnis L extending forwardlyfrom this type-bar support. The basket has adouble cushion Z for doublerows of type, consi-st.-

ingr of tubes of leather or other suitable inaterial, filled with sandand located within '90 the saine, as clearly appears in Fig. 3.

The frontof the machine is inclosed by the cover Q and has an opening Qcorresponding to the front of the type-basket,

making the type easily accessible at this `-point'for cleaning and, atthe same time,

sufficient-ly covering the type to obscure their.

action, and prevent confusionof the vision of the operator occasionedvby the operation of the type'in full'view. This front is madedetachable by screws Q Q, therethrough, suitable slots at the bottoni'ofthe front einbracing the heads of theY screws [I p, as clearly appearsin Figs. land 17.

The type-bars 'are supported by niy iinproved hangers which? aredescribed. in Let- 'ters PatentfNo. 656,7l5, August 28, 1900, to

Fox et al., also in the Clark 'Patent No. 471,785, March Q9, 1892 whichhangers lend themselves very eii'ectively to this use.

The folded over part-s of the hangers are litt-le out of line with eachother, whereby a double rowlof type bars is supported on each segment ofthe .type bar support, ,Theshanks ajre slotted, as -clearly'appears inFig. 6, and -are retained by suitable ta'p screwstherethrough,'sui,table kerfs or seats here faced in opposite directionsand are a being -.cut in the segment for the. rear row,

'and suitable washers or clip pieces,` such as 'lo-'- are shown anddescribed in Patent No.

656,785, August, es, 1900, to Fox et al.; and.'

also in the patent to Clark, No* 471,785,

March 29, 1892, are rovided, toclainp thev Shanks "securely sin'-adjustably iii P130@ '125 each clip'embracing two or more Shanks;

' 'The hangers M: on the smaller segment of,I

the support are identical-in construction with those on the largersupport, exce t that-they f are made correspondingly sinaler and. not

.slotted I have shown this particular type 7.

segment and I of the inner segment being secured to theshangers infront, and the longer ones K I of each segment bemg secured to thehangers at the rear.

The bars K which are secured to therear, when in their normal position,have va downwardly curved portion close to the hanger of sufficientextent to permit lthe bar to swing freely to the printing positionwithout contacting with the inner segment of the type-bar support.` Thebar K on the outside has a similar bend but nnieh less in extent onaccount of its being located farther forward. The shorter type bars K KHare not necessarily provided with such bends, although I preferto makethem slightly curved. The type bars l" secured to the back hangers mustnecessarily be slightly bent, -or bent slightly more than the front typebar K, in order that they may swing to the printing position 1n theproper relation.

It will be -noted that the travel of each type and bar supported on theinner cirele and on the outer circle is substantially the saine, thetypes traveling through the same space, the are which the upper typestravel being` of lesser radius, but a much greater portion of the circlebeing traversed. a

The type bars are not. only bent as l, have indicated, to pass eachother readily, but. owing tothe fact that the double types are used, itwill be remarked that those of the center will standsubstantially'parallel with the type bars; but the other type heads varyin the angle in proportion to the disA` tance of the hangers troni thecenter of the segment, and consequently the heads of the type bars atthe e..\:treme right or left approach closely to right angles to thetype bars` the intervening ones being in varying positions to correspondthereto. To accommodate these relations satisfactorily, it is necessaryor desiral'nle to make bends in the type bars to aeronnnmlate theseheads and provide Jror ample clearance, such bends being clearlyillustrated in Fig. 4. And where thetv'pe liars of the outer .segmenttoward the le'lt or right strike by a type o't' the inner segment. or`vice versa, itifis necessary to provide. another bend'in the type harssupported on the "outer segment, which also clearlyv appears trom theder'elopments of the ilvp'e bars in Fig. 4. The type bars at the extremeright or left of the outer seg ment are also bentdownwardly to swing theVdouble segment I type under the front bar of the machine withoutinterference. It will thus be seen that there are two objects inl'iending these bars:

F inst-If they were allowed to stand. out straight, the type which aremoved around at a greater angle as the bars approach the center ol thesegment, would .strike on the bar just before it. The bend ing of thesebars makes each one shorter in proportion as the bend is greater',otherwise making the type lie nearer the hanger on each succeeding barthe ends of the seg-l ment are approached.

Second-In connection with the bend at the end of the bar where the typegoes in, there is a bend ma'de in the bar near the hanger, which throwsthe type lower than a line drawn at right angles with the hanger andprojecting directly forward. This bend' is for the purpose of bringingthe type into a lower position where it passes under the front rail, andthe front of the carriage lower than would otherwise be the case it thebars did not have this inclination toward the bottom of the basket. Theshort ends of the levers of these type bars project upwardly, and it istherefore very clear why the two parts of the segments are supported bythe curved arms Y), as this leaves ample space for the accommodation ofmovement of the short ends of the levers without interference. T hedouble segment and double row of type bar hangers on each segmentenables such a distribution of hangers that the maximum length of pivotis possible.

In the basket form of typewriter the hangers are distributed around afull circle, or given a space of 360. On front strikemaehines the barshave to be confined to about 125 of an are, but by putting in the gainan extra 80, enabling me to utilize what would be equal to 205 of anare.

A rod l) extends transversely through the lower rear portion of themachine, and on this are supported the levers which aetuate the typebar. The rod is Supported at its center by the central supportl"extendin down from the top plate. and attached to the cross-bar F. (SeeFigs. 19 and 20.)

The levers ll l are connected by top couplers' to the type bars of theouter are comparatively short and i sevnient, and the levers l-l arecomparatively ong andare connected by similar top couplings to the shortarms of the shorter or inner series of ty e bars. These levers 'H H areall falcramec on lthis rod I) by the hubs il., but in order to provide adirect connection to the type bars they are extended upwardly and bentso that their upper ends each come into direct. line with the particulartype bar to which they are to be coupled. It willA thus be seen that theends of, these levers H H are bent into enr-- actly parallel relationwith the short levers of the type bars toy which they are t0 be coupled.The longer levers are rearwardly 5`curved opposite the upper portion ofthe short levers Il, so that the play of these different levers doesnotinterfere one with the other, because it is necessary that theshorter levers, in order to effect-their proper connection, shoi'ild lieacross thelpath of the longer levers II', and they would, consequently,interfere therewith but for this provision of offsetting.

The angle operate is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, the shorter levers Hbeing shown in their relation crossing the 'longer levers H. t means,the connection to the key levers 1s under perfect control,- so that thekey levers aube loc* di and arranged in the lower part of the machineexactly may be .deaired or required forthe most effective printing andarrangement of the lary-board, y The top couplers between these levers HH and the type-bars each consist of a rod J having offset studs orjournals y" y" at each end, a strip of spring sheet metal J beingclamped around4 the center of the rod J,Vf\y'ith an in; dentationv oroffset j to-prevent turning,

,.0 and an offset or indentation to engage. the

rod, and having fingers j' extending out into Contact with the ends ofthe journals, whereby this coupling canf'be snapped into post tion,thelspring partsl j j retaining it in place. @Wing to the increasedmotion necessary' on the short bars, it is also necessary to connect thecoupling Wireat apoint below the top of hub of the type-bar, andv inorder to do 'this the end of the coupler,

together with the spring, has to be curved..

Each of t'he levers Il H is provided with an exactly similar rearwardlyprojecting short arm H which is made rsubstantially straight andprojectsy rearwardly in a substantially horizontal direct-ion. .a

The upwardly projecting levers H H are guided byV suitable combsconsisting' of plates T T T in Whichare inserted plus or teeth 15. Theplates T are supported .from the top of the frame of the machine, andthe principal plate T- is supported on the central support F. Theobjects of these luppercornbs are that-in the event of a quick strokethe pressure on the finger Ihey immediately .moves the type, preventinglostmotion on account of any lateralnovement of the lever, and the guidecomb take: the side strain off rom the hubs IL Awhich encircle the shaftD. It is clear that; the throw of. the direi;

ent levers and type bars varies somewhat in' extent, depending on theirposition in the circle, Whether they are4 in the front `or rear hangersand w ther they are in the at which the different. levers By this ins tof theouter or lnner circle' type bars; and this therefore calls for aVvarying connecticut@ the rearwardly projecting arm H lof each type bar.I therefore provide an adjustable lconnection which can be readily setat'the end H of the lever, being contracted at the i center to ei-nbraee.itclosely and being opened slightly at each end to permit of the throwof the lever in this support and to permit of the movement of thecoupling back and forth on the lever. There is a rolling contact betweenthe arms H of the levers H H and this coupling. The arms H rest on thecurved seats, and the spaces at each end of the coupling are ofsuchdimension that the levers do not Contact to limit their motion.l Themotion is limited by, the

vmovement of the type bars by the type headsI eithe striking the platenor dropping against vthe cushions of the basket.

'Ilhe part I is adjustable back and forth on the key lever E and isretained in position by the set screw inserted through a suitableaperture formed through the folds` or ears z ofthe sheet metal couplingI beneath the lever. By adjusting'this coupling` back and forth on thekey lever E, the exact throwpf the type bar is regulated', 'and themovement is limited to exactly the amount required'to perform itsfunction in the/best Way.

The rear end of the key lever E is regulated to control its connectionwith the type bar lever by being rovided on itsl upper surfaces;l Withla U- aped vslot preferably contracted at the top, -clearly appearingin4 Fig: 1,`which embraces the downwardly projecting flange on thecross-bar c. A. comb 6' see Fig. 13) is retained n this down-v War lyprojecting flange by a clip of Inet-al e arranged' toward each end oftheeomb. This comb 'embraces the end of each lever Q and prevents itsmoving out of eonnec t1on 'with the downwardly projecting blade.

The height of the key-lever is regulated the usual spring f Fig. 1 aseries ofthe i sarne ,being provide one or eachkey, and beingsupportedon the lcross-bar Fy' ABy this arrangement, the 4position of the key andf its relation to the type-bar in its initial position 1s effectivelyregulated, and; the two structures cooperate perfectly together to thatend. Where the height of the key-lever is regulated in this way, it isobviously necessary to provide some effective and satisfactoryadjustment or adjustable stops thereon for contacting with the universalbar `which controls the escapemcnt.. I provide the universal bar N withan oblique upper surface, as clearly appears in Fig. 3. An adjustableslide G is on each keylever with the under portion inclinedto correspondto the inclination of the top surface of the universal bar. This isformed by a sheet. of metal folded to conform to the key with thedownwardly-projecting inclined portion. The underside of the keylever Eis notched by a series of line notches. A piece G is inserted in thebottom fold of' the slide G and is notched to, correspond to thenotching of the key-lever E. The slide is somewhat. larger than thelever and a spring g is inserted between the key-lever ind the top ofthe slide, and is curved to hold the slide upwardly with a yieldingpressure. This slide is adjusted back and forth on the key lever, andregulates'to a nicety the timing of the same in its relation to theoperation by the key-levers of the universal spacer-bar. This slide G,conforming te the adjustable inclined top of the bar, is dearlyillustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and l0, a `reference to which 'clearly showscompletely its formation. f

T he front portion of the key-levers E are guided by my improved guideor comb P which is supported on the transverse bar I. which bar supportsthe lower edge also of the front casing of the machine.. This comb ismade of a fold of sheet metal, the detail ott construction being clearlyillustrated in Fig. 1S, a cross-section appearing in Fig. l; and rin thebottom of the fold, against whichi'the undersides of the ty strike, is atube Pf', preferably of leather, filled with sand, to absorb vibrationand prevent noise.

Having thus described the details of my improved typewriter, I desire toremark that I desire to claire the same broadly as. Well asspecifically, and, while I believe the specific means I have used to beof very greatadvantage, I am aware that they may be considerablymodified without departing from the principles of my invention.

Certain parts could be Vdispensed with Wit-hout modifying other arts,the corresponding advantage of suoli) parts of course bein omitted. I

I lieveA provided elaborate means for adjustingthe different connectionswhich I desire to claim; but I also desire to remark that the structurecould be made Without these adj ust-ments and still bea .very effec-rtive and superior structure. I desire to claim it therefore, with theadjustments, and

styles of type-hangers were made use of.

These features are mentioned as mere incidents of what I regard aspossible in the way of modifications, and I content myself with thisstatement. It would be impossible l to enumerate the variations whichcould be accomplished by mechanics skilled in the art to which thisinvention pertains.-

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a typewrit'ing machine, a typebar support comprising doubleconcentric arcs connected by rearwardly-curved arms, eacharc carrying adouble rod of typebars; hangers ofrf'olded sheet metal for said bars,the inner rows of said hangers being arran ed in recesses in saidsupport with the type ar pivots to the rear, the outer row overlappingthe same with the typebar pivots to the front: and .clip piecesembracing two or more of said .hangers, substantially as described.

2. Inria typewriting machine, a typebar support comprising doubleconcentric arcs connected by-rearwardly-curved arms, each are carrying adouble row of typebars; hangers 'for said bars, the inner rows o saidhangers being arranged in recesses in said support with the typebarpivots to the rear, the outer row overlapping the same with the typebarpivots tothe front; and 105" clip piecesembraeing two or more of saidhangers, substantially as described.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a 4main supportingframe; a nonsliifting carriage with a platen thereon; a

shit'table typebar 'support arranged beneath and toward the front ofsaid (platem typebars on suitable hangers carrie by said support;leversI-I Irl supported on atransverse rod through the rear of the mainlframe, the

levers H being the longer and curved rear-V wardly so as not tointerfere with the shorter levers H, said levers being bent laterallyinto line with the short arms of the typebars; j

a top coupler connecting the` top of each lever with an associatedtype-bar; rearwardly-projecting arms from each of the said levers H H;andcouplings from said arms to said key-levers for the ypurposespecified. l

4. In a typewriter, the combination of thev keys; a front comb orguidejmafle'. of a folded strip of metal slotted and with a tubularcushlon in the bottom fold, specified.

5. In a front strike typewriter, the combination with typebars andkeylevers ,of in- I i supporting termediate .levers connected to thetypebars,

and having rearwardly projecting ends exwith the,key levers;

having curved seats formed 'part of 'said tending in asubstantially'parallel direction adjustable sheet metal couplingsembracing the key levers, and therein, for the saidrearwardly-projecting ends of vthe in -termediate levers,- said seatsbeing divergent at each. end to permit of the adjustment of thesaidcouplingor varying the said connection, coacting for the purposespecied.

6. In a front strike typewriting machine, the combination of a supportfor the typebar. hangers, having double concentric segments;

double head typebars of differ# ent lengths, the longer of whichtypebars are bent to correspond to" the double heads 4bars; a transverserod or shaft for support.

ing' the intermediate levers;a central support extending from the top tothe bottom of the machine and embracing the central transverse rod; andan upper comb guide supported onthe said central support for embracingand guiding said` levers, coacting for the-purpose specified.

-8. In a front strike typewriter, the combination of the ty ebars insuitable hangers and. suitabletypear supports; key levers; intermediate,an ular 'levers with couplings for connecting t ekey levers to thetypebars;

d or shaft `for'supporting the a transverse r'o mtermediate' levers; acentral support ex suitable typebar hangers therein,-

tending from the top to thebottom of the machine-and embracing' thecentral part of said transverse rod, -coacting for the purposespecified. f"

9. In a typewriting machinegiof the front strike variety, thecombination of a shifting typebar support consistinqof a plurality ofsegments, one abovejthe o er typebars with double typeheadsg'ipivtally,supported on the said segments so that those on theupper A segment' alternate with those of the lowersegment, the heads ofthe typeb'ar of the upper segment being arranged between ,thesaidntypebars of the lower segment, the type-- 'bars of the lowersegment beingl bent to ac commodate the heads of the barsof the uppersegment; a type basket at the front thereof; and means for shiftingthe'typeba'r support, coacting as specified. 4 t

10. In afrontstrike typewriting machine, the combination of a typebarsupport consisting of a type basket semicircular in orm,'suitablecushions arranged in different planes therein', a typebar support consisting of a double vertical-1y arranged-segment, one segment beingconcentric with the other,` With typehars pivotally supported thereon,said typebars lapping zA upon 'each other, those of the. upper segmenthaving the typeheads varranged between the type? bars secured 'tothe'lower segment,'whe'reby 'fine saidtypebars may beoperated to swingl'rov cle'r of each other to the platen .without obi-'P structing eachother from, substantially the same elevation, same travel.

my hand andseal in the presence of two witnesses. A

WILLIAM R. FOX.. [L 'Witnesses: i

KATHARINE KUNZI, C ARoLuui D. WATEBMANA,

and with substantially thev i j :80" In witness whereof, .I haveVhereunto set Copies of this patent may he. obtained' for ve cents each,by addressing the Commissioner of Patents'. f

Washington, D. C.

